Folic acid Facts

Folic acid or folate is is one of the water-soluble B-complex vitamins (Vitamin B9) that naturally occur in food.

As a water-soluble vitamin, it is not stored in the body, so a continuous dietary supply of the vitamin is needed.

Folic acid is important in making healthy new cells, formation of red blood cells, and DNA synthesis which is needed in cell division.

It is needed in DNA synthesis and important to cell formation and division that maintains and produces new cells.

Folic acid works along with Vitamin B12 and Vitamin C to help the body break down, use, and create new proteins.

Aside from averting birth defects, folate promotes cell regeneration, the process of developing new cells to replace old ones. This process aids in giving one a healthy glow, young-looking and radiant skin, a fit, refreshed body - effects that are anti-aging.

Everyone needs folic acid, most especially women in their reproductive age and pregnant women.

A pregnant woman needs extra folic acid throughout pregnancy to help her produce the additional blood cells, as well as support the rapid growth of the placenta and fetus.

Folic acid supports DNA synthesis which is important as cells multiply. Without adequate amount of folic acid, cell division could be impaired which could possibly lead to poor growth in fetus or placenta.

Everyone needs the right amount of folic acid everyday.

Adequate intake of the right amount of folic acid before and during pregnancy helps prevent certain types of neural tube birth defects up to 70%.

Get enough folic acid every day - especially one month before getting pregnant and during the first three months of pregnancy.

All women in reproductive age should receive 400 micrograms (0.4 mg) of folic acid daily.

Women who have had a previous child with neural tube defect should receive 4000 micrograms (4 mg) of folic acid daily.

Administration of 0.4 mg of folic acid in the period from 4 weeks before to 8 weeks after conception significantly reduces the occurrence of NTDs.

Women who have children with NTDs are NOT overtly folate deficient. However, the rapidly dividing cells of the neural tube probably require a large amount of folate for DNA synthesis.

There is an increased risk towards neural tube defects. The neural tube forms in the first 28 days of pregnancy – which occurs highly before pregnancy is detected. This necessitates the needs for periconceptional folic acid intake.

Administration of 0.4 mg of folic acid in the period from 4 weeks before to 8 weeks after conception significantly reduces the occurrence of NTDs.

Folic acid supplements

Folic acid Fortified foods

Natural food folates such as romaine lettuce, spinach, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, beefs and lentils, squash, black beans, pinto beans, string beans, garbanzo beans, banana, orange and other citrus fruits, avocado, melon, and papaya